A massive flash flood, unleashed after a barrier lake overflowed, has devastated Taiwan’s Hualien County in the wake of Typhoon Ragasa. Officials confirm at least 14 people have been killed, with rescue teams racing against time to find 129 people who are still missing.
September 24, 2025: At least 22 people have died and 113 are still missing after a flash flood in Hualien County, Taiwan. The flood was triggered by a barrier lake overflowing from the heavy rains of Super Typhoon Ragasa. The “tsunami” of water entirely covered the settlement of Guangfu, cutting it off from the rest of the island.
The disaster happened on Tuesday afternoon when a landslide made a temporary lake that broke its banks and sent almost 60 million tonnes of water into the town. People in the area said it was a mess, with flood sirens going off on Wednesday morning and survivors and rescuers yelling, “The flood waters are coming, run fast.”
Taiwan’s government has started a huge, multi-agency rescue effort in reaction to the disaster. More than 340 soldiers have been rushed in with armored personnel carriers to get through the muddy streets and deliver important supplies. Rescue crews from all over the country have also been sent out. Military helicopters and inflatable boats are now being deployed to get to people who are stuck. Officials have confirmed that all of the deaths reported so far were from Guangfu, where the strong floodwaters destroyed an important bridge.
China’s Taiwan Affairs Office sent condolences to the victims in a rare diplomatic move. This showed that even though there have been political tensions for a long time, all sides are vulnerable to natural disasters. As the country deals with one of its greatest natural disasters in a long time, officials have told people in the impacted districts to shelter on higher ground while they look for the missing.